There’s nothing like a crackling fireplace to set the mood for a great winter meal. Whether you’re in search of a romantic venue for a dinner for two, or just looking for a spot to warm up with friends, here are the restaurants with the coziest fireplaces in town.

Ananda: This Maple Lawn gem features beautiful fireplaces to enhance its signature Indian farm-to-table dining experience. Whether you’re seated indoors, or outside on the terrace, the space features marble fireplaces around every corner. 7421 Maple Lawn Blvd. Fulton. 301-725-4800

The Ambassador Dining Room: Often considered one of the most romantic restaurants in town, this spot features majestic fireplaces and nattily dressed waiters serving everything from samosas to lamb vindaloo. 3811 Canterbury Rd. 410-366-1484

The Bluebird Cocktail Room: The fireplace at this dimly lit, literary-inspired Hampden hangout contributes to its overall cozy vibe. Snag an evening table to sip sophisticated drinks and fill up on snacks while soaking up the dreamy ambiance. 3600 Hickory Ave. 

The Brewer’s Art: Retreat from the cold with a pint and a warm meal inside this storied Mt. Vernon brewpub—whose upstairs dining room boasts a classic wood-burning fireplace. Stare into the embers while savoring the famous mac and cheese or an order of rosemary garlic fries, served with a side of mayo. 1106 N Charles St. 410-547-6925

La Jetee: Sleek, oversized fireplaces—paired with the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Inner Harbor—make chef Spike Gjerde’s Provençal restaurant an ideal spot to retreat from the cold. 1215 Wills St. 443-960-8670

Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden: The best-kept secret of this lively beer garden is its outdoor fireplace. Grab a drink, pull up an Adirondack chair, and unwind with friends at this warm spot in Power Plant Live. 4 Market Pl. 410-908-0650

The Milton Inn: Warm up with a gourmet meal in one of the many dining rooms of this historic house, featuring gas fireplaces. If you’re really looking to kick up the heat, ask to be seated in the Hearth Room and get toasty around the flickering flames. 14833 York Rd. Sparks. 410-771-4366

The Oregon Grille: This charming 19th-century farmhouse has a fireplace around every corner. Whether you’re looking for a place to grab drinks with friends, or just in search of a romantic spot for a date night, the Cockeysville fixture is full of cozy character. 1201 Shawan Road. Hunt Valley. 410-771-0505

Petit Louis Bistro: From its marble accents and brick archways to its sophisticated French fare and fully stocked wine cellar, everything about this Roland Park mainstay exudes an old-school European bistro feel. Cozy up by the wood-burning fireplace to enjoy classics like French onion soup, fried eggplant Napolean, and rainbow trout amandine. 4800 Roland Ave. 410-366-9393

Poets Modern Cocktails and Eats: Complete with funky chandeliers, comfy high-back chairs, and vintage artwork, this trendy bar and lounge inside The Hotel Indigo in Mt. Vernon is a go-to spot to sip cocktails. In keeping with its literary theme, the space features built-in bookshelves surrounding its massive wood-burning fireplace. 24 W. Franklin St. 443-961-3400

Pub Dog Pizza & Drafthouse: The food and beverage scene in Federal Hill has seen some stark changes throughout the years, but this East Cross Street pizza palace remains a stalwart. A loaded pie (the menu lists more than 20 varieties) and a house-brewed pint near the exposed-brick fireplace seems like the perfect winter weekend activity to us. 20 E. Cross St. 410-727-6077

R. House: Grab some grub from this Remington food hall—whose stalls offer everything from pizza and chicken sandwiches to rice bowls and sushi burritos—and create your own campfire around the gas fireplace outside. (Dessert vendor Taharka Bros. even offers its signature honey graham flavor, if you really want to get into the s’mores spirit.) 301 W. 29th St. 443-347-3570

Tark’s Grill: Famous for its traditional American fare, this Green Spring Station restaurant embraces the spirit of the city with vintage photography and modern décor. The spot’s signature outdoor courtyard boasts an artsy fireplace surrounded by a flowing fountain. 2360 W. Joppa Rd. Lutherville. 410-583-8275

The Valley Inn: The glow of two working gas fireplaces fills the dining rooms of this 1800s Greenspring Valley roadhouse. Its menu features classic comfort foods, such as crab cake platters and hearty seafood gumbo, which serve as a perfect main event to any winter meal. 10501 Falls Rd., Lutherville. 410-828-0002

Located in the heart of Ruxton on one of the larger properties in the community, totaling 3.91 acres, Cedar Top presents a rare opportunity to own one of the original Ruxton homes! The driveway connects two existing homes, 1919 Ruxton Road and 1740 Circle Road, both on the same parcel of land (but with subdivision rights possible). The main house (1919 Ruxton Road) was designed by architect Arthur Jerome Hooper, enjoys 5,419 square feet and was built in 1896 as a summer home. The house was then expanded in the 1920s when it became a full-time residence. Most of the home’s original features remain, including claw foot bathtubs, a dumbwaiter, vintage light fixtures, transom windows, and bas relief sculptures above two of the nine fireplaces, all adding classic charm and character to this tremendous home.

A paneled entry door with leaded glass arched transom leads into the vaulted foyer, providing passage to a powder room, a double closet, and into the living room which features a wood burning fireplace, door to the terrace and access to the adjoining sunroom. This inviting space, awash in natural light, features a full-width bay, extensive built-in bookcases, fireplace and a two-stop elevator with mahogany paneling. Glazed doors lead into the enviable library, also enjoying a fireplace as well as two walls of floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases. The adjacent dining room includes a full-width bay with two windows and provides access to the spacious kitchen with stainless appliances, an island and open flow into the adjoining family room with a wood burning fireplace, built-in cabinetry and door to the screened porch.

The second level features a spacious primary bedroom suite with a fireplace and private bath. A second large bedroom suite also shares this level as well as two additional bedrooms, two baths and a large sleeping porch. Three more bedrooms can be found on the third level as well as a bath and an attic. A slate patio off the living room leads down into the surrounding gardens and grounds.

A lovely 1414 square foot guest cottage also shares the grounds featuring a living room, dining room, kitchen, powder room, three upper-level bedrooms and a bath. Stunning gardens adorn the property, including Maryland Champion trees, prize-winning daffodils and many other gorgeous varieties of flora and fauna. A large in-ground, 10-foot-deep swimming pool adds additional outdoor entertainment. Truly a one-of-a-kind property, with only two owners since 1896, Cedar Top at 1919 Ruxton Road offers a wonderful, rare opportunity to own a spectacular original Ruxton home!

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